Reno Gazette-Journal continuing investigation into Harvey Whittemore’s election campaign activities

Reno Gazette-Journal is continuing the investigation into Harvey Whittemore’s election campaign activities with the RGJ Special Report.

F. Harvey Whittemore (born 17 August 1952) is an American lawyer and businessman in the Reno, Nevada, area.^[1] As an influential lobbyist^[2] for the gambling, alcohol and tobacco industries, and for his own ventures,^[3]^[4] Whittemore has been called “one of Nevada’s most powerful men”.^[1] Whittemore was the president of Coyote Springs Investment, LLC, the land-development company behind Coyote Springs, a controversial^[5]^[6] $30 billion planned golf course community of 160,000 homes on 43,000 acres (170 km²) in the rural Nevada desert.^[7]^[8] Whittemore’s close relationship with Senator Harry Reid came under scrutiny because of perceived legislative and political pressure favors allowing Coyote Springs to overcome regulatory problems.^[9]^[10] In 2012, Whittemore came under grand jury investigation, initiated by the Federal Election Commission, to determine whether he was guilty of breaking federal campaign contribution laws.

We will follow this story and link to news and websites to tell this epic story of Nevada corruption & bribery. This scandal encompasses the top political figures in Nevada politics including Harry Reid.

Keep coming back as this section grows.

Harvey Whittemore once bounded through Nevada’s Legislature as the embodiment of influence — a lobbyist for casinos and other powerful interests, a lawyer, a gregarious personality and sharp mind. He also was a lucrative campaign contributor for elected officials, which helped open doors.

Whittemore pushed boundaries — one time seeking legislation to allow a private pier to be built at Lake Tahoe for himself and his friends. Sometimes his overreach was literal.

In the 1990s, when the Legislature installed tall glass walls in the Assembly and Senate chambers to separate lawmakers from the public gallery, they became known as “Harvey’s Walls” since they stopped his habit of reaching into the chambers before votes on bills.

On Thursday, Whittemore, in a dark suit and shackles around his ankles, entered a Reno courtroom to offer his not-guilty plea on federal charges of campaign finance law violations and lying to investigators.

Whittemore’s back was ramrod straight, but he had fallen from his perch in Nevada politics — first by a civil lawsuit with explosive allegations that he had siphoned money from his business for personal use and to maintain his political standing. Now he’s under federal indictment on four felony charges that could land him in prison.

Links:

Harvey Whittemore’s Reno Police Report Against the Seeno Family – http://www.scribd.com/doc/109542875/Harvey-Whittemore-s-Reno-Police-Report-Ag…

Harvey Whittemore Arrest Warrant and Indictment – http://www.scribd.com/doc/109536497/Harvey-Whittemore-Arrest-Warrant-and-Indi…

Harvey and Annette Whittemore Sue The Seenos – http://www.scribd.com/doc/109540524/Harvey-and-Annette-Whittemore-Sue-The-Seenos

Seeno’s Lawsuit Against Harvey and Annette Whittemore – http://www.scribd.com/doc/109544304/Seeno-s-Lawsuit-Against-Harvey-and-Annett…

A lawsuit filed in federal court accuses three Seenos and their associates of racketeering, including extortion, and mail, wire and tax fraud – http://www.scribd.com/doc/109606977/A-lawsuit-filed-Wednesday-in-federal-cour…

FBI arrests Seeno executive, offers first glimpse into 2010 raid – http://www.scribd.com/doc/109615549/FBI-arrests-Seeno-executive-offers-first-…

West Wendover City Council members fail to reveal employment at Peppermill Casinos – http://www.scribd.com/doc/109528822/West-Wendover-City-Council-members-fail-t…

Albert D. Seeno Jr., Nevada Gaming Complaint, Peppermill Casino Licensee Associated With Criminals -` http://www.californiavalleymiwoktribe.us/images/everone%20documents/Seeno_Com…

The Peppermill Casino, Albert D. Seeno Jr. and the Hells Angels – http://www.scribd.com/doc/109293173/The-Peppermill-Casino-Albert-D-Seeno-Jr-a…